Crying in childhood
Information:
Definition:
A sudden, audible, voluntary, or automatic response to an emotionally distressing situation or experience. May include weeping and tears.
A physical expression of an emotional response to a distressing experience or situation.
Children cry for many reasons and the degree of their distress is dependent on their developmental levels and previous experiences. Children cry in response to pain, fear, sadness, frustration, confusion, anger, and inability to adequately express their feelings. Crying is a normal response to distressing situations that they are otherwise unable to resolve. When children experience excessive fear or pain, they may feel frustrated, angry, or confused. When their coping skills are exhausted, they automatically respond with their instinctual behavior, crying.
As children develop additional coping skills and problem-solving skills, their responses of crying as a means of expressing themselves decreases. The difficult period for parents is when a child has learned to verbally express some feelings (talking) yet is still unable to express frustration, anger, or confusion without crying. During this time, parents may find it necessary to establish behavioral guidelines to help the child develop appropriate behaviors. Praising the ability to delay or withhold crying until an appropriate time and place is helpful. Teaching alternative behaviors to respond to distressing situations is also useful.
Remember, children cry in response to distress when they have no other means of expressing their feelings or they have learned that crying is the most effective means of getting what they want.
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